Fans of University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball can expect a defensive-oriented 2014 squad featuring a deep outfield core and versatile infielders, says first-year interim Head Coach Kallen Miyataki.
 
"I think we've grown tremendously since we stated," Miyataki said following months of practices he feels boosted players' fundamentals and discipline.
 
He praised assistant coaches Rob Kelso, Shayne Miura and Kevin Yee, infield coach Thad Yasuhara, and Certified Athletic Trainer Kensei Gibbs for preparing the club for its upcoming season.
 
Team development has increased expectations heading into an opening 8-game road trip through Idaho and California.
 
"I'm comfortable with the way things are going," Miyataki said. "I think we'll be fine if we can play to our potential."
 
Lacking lightening speed and big bats, the Vulcans squad will instead focus more on run prevention than run production, Miyataki said.
 
It's easier to teach defense than the art of hitting a baseball" he said.
 
"Because of that, I felt that defense was something that we would work on right away," added Miyataki, whose appreciation for a strong defensive team was gained while he played catcher for the decorated 1983 UH-Hilo team that finished 41-10 en route to winning the district championship.
 
That team was coached by Joey Estrella, who had been the only men's baseball coach in Vulcan history prior to retiring, following a 37-year career, in 2013.
 
During his final season, Estrella started outfielders Will Thayer and Zachary Hamasaki, both of whom have returned as seniors. However, they'll have new roles as defensive replacements under Miyataki's system that prioritizes performance over pedigree.
 
"It's so competitive. You have to earn your right to play," said Miyataki, who plans to start a pair of 6-foot-2 seniors in the outfield: Harrison Guiol from Mission Viejo, Calif., and Jonathan James, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama.
 
"We're deep in terms of outfield (talent)," Miyataki said.
 
The players have embraced his moves.
 
"Right now, the (team) chemistry is really good," he said. "It's fun. They work together. They support each other, so it's been very enjoyable."
 
Also returning from last year's team are infielders Keenan Nishioka, a 6-0 sophomore from Hilo, and Sam Kim, a 5-10, 230-pound junior from California. Both will be starting.
 
"So we're blessed. We have them for a couple more years," Miyataki said, noting his team is comprised of two-thirds Hawaii players and one-third mainlanders.
 
"Our (recruiting) goal is to go locally first," he said. "The talent is here."
 
Waimea's Byron Freitas and Edison Sakata of Honolulu are both freshmen competing for the starting shortstop spot.
 
"For me, honestly, I think we're unknown right now," Miyataki said of the club. "It's good."
 
Catching duties will fall to Sean Nearhoof, a 5-11 sophomore from California. Backing him up will be fellow freshman Korin Medeiros, a 5-7 player from Hilo, who also will pull infield and pitching duties.
 
Miyataki wants Medeiros' bat in the lineup, which why he'll also use him at third base when he's not pitching.
 
Look for Kyle Watase, a 6-0, 205-pound lefty from Honolulu to head up the pitching staff. Miyataki said he'll likely mix up the rotation to create better matchups with opening opponents Northwest Nazarene University and Fresno Pacific University.
 
"Right now, I think the kids are hungry to get out," Miyataki said of his team, which is healthy except for a case or two of the flu.
 
That means heading on the road to chilly Idaho and then Northern California before returning for the team's March 10 home opener at Wong Stadium.
 
"I think we need to stay positive. I think we need to learn in terms of where we're going and how we're going to adjust," Miyataki said. "We'll see how we weather the storm."
 
He wants to "teach life skills through baseball" while also seeing his players graduate, something that Estrella also stressed.
 
"If we do the things we need to do, then we'll be successful, and that's what we're keying on right now. I think that's the most important thing."